Comparison of DIY Boards

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Notes on the use of these charts

The cost estimates are only that, estimates.

  • They are generally based on placing a Mouser order for the parts for one board using the BOM that has been provided.
  • They do not include shipping.
  • The costs may significantly lower if the parts are obtained through a coop or from other sources.
  • The price of electronic components and PCBs changes quickly.
  • Individual results will vary.

My apologies to any/all board designers if I omitted some critical information.

Board Comparison

Light Controllers

Controller Board Number of Channels Dimmable PC Communication Method Compatible with
COOP SSR
Requires External Power Supply Estimated cost to
populate 1 board
Board COOP Status
COOP Olsen 595 64 No¹ Parallel Port Yes Yes $35-$40 COOP complete
No boards available
Grinch 64 No¹ Parallel Port Yes Yes $17-$23 COOP on-going
Contact wjohn
Renard8 8 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232/RS-485)
*Requires a ZC source
Ren-T is a good choice
Yes Yes $10-$12 Beta COOP only
Renard16
(Xmus16)
16 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232/RS-485)
Makes its own ZC
N/A
On-board SSRs
Yes $45-$55 2nd COOP
Starting
Contact xmus
Renard24 24 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232/RS-485)
N/A
On-board SSRs
No $55-$65 COOP complete
New COOP in 2008, contact Frank
Renard64 64 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232/RS-485)
* Requires ZC source
Yes Yes $75-$85 COOP on-going
Contact wjohn
Firegod
W/ 4 field Modules
128 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232)
Yes
(with latest firmware)
No $135-$145
(w/ 4 field modules)
COOP complete
No boards available
Lynx 16 Yes Serial Port
(DMX)²
N/A
On-board SSRs
No $80
(complete kit) + DMX dongle $130
COOP
Starting
Contact RJ
Freestyle 128 Yes Serial Port
(DMX)²
Yes No Not yet priced + plus DMX dongle $130 Beta COOP
Starting
Contact RJ
COOP SSR
&
SSROZ V2.d
4 Yes 4 Sinking inputs
from Controller Boards
NA NA $10-$12 SSR COOP complete
No boards available
SSROZ COOP
on-going
Contact wjohn

Other Boards Available

Board PC Communication Method Function(s) Estimated cost to populate board Board COOP Status
Ren-T Serial Port
(RS-232)
1) Converts RS232 to RS485
2) Generates Zero Cross (ZC) signal
3) Enables a RS485 pass-thru
$18-$23 COOP complete
No boards available
Ren-C Serial Port
(RS-232)
1) Converts dimming Renard serial data into 595 compatable dimming data
2) Creates dimming for the Olsen 595 and Grinch boards

*Requires a ZC signal (Ren-T a good source)
$10-$12 COOP on-going
Contact wjohn
LEDTriks Parallel Port Used to generate messages/effects on a 16 x 48 grid of LEDs $20-$25 COOP on-going
Contact wjohn
Pixel Serial Port
(DMX)³
RGB LED light device $10
(board comes completely assembled)
COOP complete
Boards available
Contact JEC


  • Note¹ - Olsen 595 and Grinch can be dimmed by using a Ren-T and Ren-C board
  • Note² - Requires an Entec Pro DMX dongle to convert PC Serial data into DMX - around 130$ US
  • Note³ - Requires a DMX dongle to convert PC Serial data into DMX

Board Construction Difficulty

This information is completely subjective and opinions will vary.

An empty entry does not imply no problems. It only implies that, at this posting, no first-hand experience was available to make an entry.


Board Difficulty Level Construction Issues
COOP Olsen 595 Easy None
Grinch Easy None
Renard8 Moderate - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
Renard16
(Xmus16)
Moderate - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
Renard24 Moderate - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
Renard64 Moderate
To
Difficult
- Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
- 3 different options that it can be built to
Firegod
W/ 4 field Modules
Moderate
Lynx Easy - Manual with pics/ basic soldering skills only
COOP SSR
&
SSROZ V2.d
Easy None
Ren-T Easy
To
Moderate
- 3 different options/cases that it can be built to
Ren-C Moderate - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
LEDTriks Moderate - LED panel itself a large undertaking